Lourdes Sánchez for West Elm

I was immediately drawn to this rug (first image) introduced at West Elm a few months back. It's one of those elements that just instantly cheers up a room. I've heard over and over again how just a gallon of paint can transform a room. Very true, but a rug like this can also have major impact and at West Elm prices, it's nearly as affordable as paint. (Well, at least low-VOC paint plus all the supplies and the labor involved.  You get the idea.)

How great is it that retailers like West Elm are able to make work from artists like Lourdes Sánchez available to the masses? I know that in today's world, there's a trend toward creating one of a kind rooms assembled with unique pieces that you're not going to be able to craft from goods at mass retailers. That said, it's hard to ignore how fabulous this rug is! Not to mention the artwork that was just added to the Lourdes Sánchez for West Elm collection.

"Cuban-born artist and textile designer Lourdes Sánchez trained at New York's School of Visual Arts and spent 20 years creating in-demand prints for the fashion industry." - Learn more at West Elm

Flea Market Fun: April Edition

My top flea market finds for this past weekend at the Long Beach Antique Market --
I didn't purchase them all, mind you.  I still haven't rented that storage space I talked about in this post.

1960s bathroom scale $45

1950s ice bucket with penguin motif (I've actually seen these a few times, even two on this particular day. The best price I've seen is $12, although this one was marked $20)

The best find of the day was this coffee urn with a great walnut tri-pod base (I talked them down from $65 to $50!) Every hostess needs one.

Lovely little Japanese address book that was completely unmarked and will definitely serve as inspiration for a color palette on a future project

This mod floor lamp was in good shape and selling for $100

The grand finale --

An Emeco high chair! Yes, the same company that's so well-known for this chair.